KOBUDO STUDENT RESOURCES

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HISTORY

The actual origin of Kobudo is very to pinpoint, partly due to the fact that it was practiced in strict secrecy at times. Many people believe that Kobudo was developed into a high form amongst Okinawan peasants due to restrictions placed upon them. This was especially true when the by the Satsuma Samurai of Japan invaded the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1606. Under their rule, the Okinawans were forbidden from carrying arms of the day, like swords. So, they focused on developing self-defense systems using traditional farming implements (Kobudo), and their empty-hands (Karate.) These systems were based on indigenous knowledge of fighting and influences from cultural exchange with China, Malaysia and Indonesia.

It is commonly thought that it was the common people who developed these arts. Modern martial arts scholars have uncovered evidence, though, that the “Pechin” warrior class of Okinawa were the ones who studied and developed various martial arts, rather than the “Heimin” or commoners. It may be that they Okinawan Kobudo systems were actually shaped by them and the “Aji”, or noble class. In truth, there are many variations of Kobudo and it’s possible that all of them contributed to its development.

The majority of Okinawan Kobudo traditions that survived the difficult times during and following World War II preserved and handed down by few individuals including Taira Shinken, Chogi Kishaba, and Kenwa Mabuni. Other notable masters are Toshihiro Oshiro, Motokatsu Inoue, Chōtoku Kyan, Shigeru Nakamura, Kanga Sakukawa, and Shinko Matayoshi.